Srinagar, Mar 3: Warning the Opposition not to fall into the trap of changing the entire election discourse from pressing issues -- demonetisation, GST, unemployment, farmers distress, among others -- to Balakot operation, former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said presently when war frenzy and jingoism in the guise of patriotism is at an all time high, it will only help BJP electorally.

However, Ms Mufti, who is the president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said as citizens of this country, she has every right to question the credibility of the Balakot operation, especially due to Centre’s 'ambiguity' about the details. “As citizens of this country, we have every right to question the credibility of the Balakot operation. Esp due to GoIs ambiguity about the details. How does it help the enemies? Only puts GoI in a tight spot since they want to exploit this to reap electoral benefits,” Ms Mufti wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.

“Calling those who question the veracity of Balakot strikes anti national is baffling. However the opposition should not fall into this trap of changing the entire election discourse from pressing issues like demonetisation, GST, unemployment, farmers’ distress to these strikes,” she added.

Expressing dismay over issues like ‘Rafale deal, unemployment and poor eco growth fading into oblivion’, Ms Mufti said, “Presently when war frenzy and jingoism in the guise of patriotism is at an all time high, allowing political discourse to be reduced to the Balakot strikes will only help BJP electorally.” (UNI )